A new county-wide parking charges structure agreed by Somerset Council’s Executive in March is a step closer to being implemented.

The Somerset Parking Review and Charging Principles Framework is bringing a fair approach to parking fees in the county, ironing out disparities in practice between different towns, whilst supporting local businesses and residents.

The Strawberry Line, a traffic-free path linking the Mendip Hills to the sea, has won the accolade of being named Britain’s favourite path by The Ramblers.

The path is a pioneering multi-partnership project between, charities, volunteers, contractors, community groups, councils, Historic Railways Estate and private landowners.

Somerset Council is laying on a shuttle bus service to support local communities in and around Draycott while the A371 is closed for essential gas mains work.

Wales and West Utilities is relaying the mains supply and will need to close the road while the work is carried out from 1 September to 11 October.

External auditors have placed Somerset Council in the highest category for financial accounts assurance recovery, recognising the strong progress it has made in improving how it delivers its statutory financial accounts.

The assessment, prepared by Grant Thornton and reported to Somerset Council’s Audit Committee on Thursday 27 August 2026, places Somerset in “Category A”.

In the last year, more than 3,000 young people have attended Somerset Youth Hubs, which offer welcoming places to talk about personal and community safety.

Youth Hubs are free weekly drop-in sessions in Bridgwater, Yeovil and Taunton for young people and parents and carers. Delivered by Young Somerset in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police and funded by Somerset Council.

Members of the Somerset community are invited to join Somerset Council’s Walk for a Life in Taunton as it returns for a 5^th year on Saturday 5 September.

Organised by Somerset Council’s Public Health team in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations, the event is held to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide, raise awareness, and encourage open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.

A group of mentors who use their own experience of recovery to support people affected by drug and alcohol issues were celebrated at a graduation event in Taunton on Friday, 21 August.

The event marked the end of the Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Service (SDAS) Peer Mentor Programme and graduates were joined by family members, treatment providers, community partners, and stakeholders.

Health and community professionals have praised a Somerset healthier eating initiative as “excellent and impactful”, with one participant calling it “probably the most beneficial and useful course” they had completed.

Focusing on MORE is a health promotion initiative with engaging delivery that encourages interaction and empowers attendees to make more confident decisions around food choices that can result in positive health gains for all.

Somerset Council and its recycling site operator, Biffa have extended the 1-appliance-per-household limit for fridges, freezers and other cooling appliances at Somerset’s 16 recycling centres throughout September.

This limitation has been caused by a continuing national shortage of UK reprocessing capacity.

Members of the Bridgwater South Pride in Place Board met on Friday 21 August for their second board meeting, with representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) also in attendance.

The Board shared updates on the progress being made since the programme launched and discussed the next steps in developing a long-term vision for Bridgwater South.